What I learned from a Tangled Necklace

I was standing in the bathroom, trying to untangle a necklace. You know the kind—a tiny, delicate chain so knotted it feels like there’s no hope. Part of me thought about just leaving it, but I couldn’t. Something about untangling that mess felt important, like I needed to figure it out.

So, I stood there, pushing and pulling at the little knots, testing the tension, trying to find the piece that would loosen everything. It was frustrating, but I didn’t stop. And as I worked on it, a thought hit me—this is exactly what life feels like sometimes.

We all have moments where things feel like one big knot. Problems pile up, stress takes over, and it feels impossible to make any progress. And when we pull too hard or let frustration take over, it only makes the knot tighter.

I thought back to a recent conversation I had about a tough situation. The details don’t matter because we’ve all been there—feeling stuck, frozen by fear, and overwhelmed. It’s so easy to focus on what’s going wrong that we forget to look for what could go right.

But as I worked on that necklace, I realized something. The knot wasn’t going to untangle itself. I had to take my time, push and pull, try different things, and figure out what worked. And little by little, it started to loosen.

That’s how life works, too. Whether it’s a problem at work, a tough decision, or a difficult time in your life, you can’t stay stuck. You have to move—try something, then try something else. Sometimes you have to be gentle and patient. Other times, you need to be bold and take action. But the only way to untangle the mess is to keep going.

If you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed, remember this: the knot won't fix itself. But with patience, persistence, and a willingness to try, things will begin to come together. And when they do, you'll not only find the solutions you need, but you'll also uncover strengths you didn't know you had.

Sometimes, all it takes is one more gentle tug to loosen what feels impossible to fix. Don’t give up.

-Michelle xo